I Can't Do Pushups Because of Costochondritis

Aubrey Bailey
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updated on January 30, 2018

About the Author:

Aubrey Bailey

Aubrey Bailey has been writing online health-related articles since 2009. Her articles have also appeared in ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy and Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University at Buffalo, as well as a post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy from Utica College. Dr. Bailey is also a Certified Hand Therapist.

Rib pain can make exercising very painful.
(Image: lzf/iStock/Getty Images)

Rib pain can make daily activities such as breathing, coughing or laughing quite painful. Costochondritis -- inflammation in the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone -- is one cause of rib pain. This condition can also prevent you from performing exercises that use muscles in your chest, such as push-ups.

Causes and Symptoms

Costochondritis often occurs without any clear cause. However, it can appear after injury, exercise or coughing spells. The hallmark symptom of this condition is sharp chest pain. This pain might decrease when you are resting and is aggravated with movement. Because chest pain can also be a sign of a life-threatening heart attack, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

Costochondritis often gets better on its own if you avoid aggravating activities. However, it can take several weeks or more to fully resolve. Your doctor might suggest anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil). Other treatments can include heat, massage and physical therapy.

Step 3

Costochondritis and Push-Ups

Push-ups target your pectoralis muscles on each side of your chest. These muscles attach to your breastbone. As a result, push-ups put additional pressure on your already inflamed cartilage if you have costochondritis. This exercise should be avoided until your symptoms have resolved.

Other chest strengthening exercises such as chest flys and bench pressing should also be avoided if you have costochondritis.

Tricep Push-ups

Once your pain has resolved, consider adjusting your push-up technique. Tricep push-ups put less pressure on your pectoralis muscles, which in turn can reduce strain on your previously injured cartilage. These push-ups are performed by moving your arms in, closer to your body.